Mid-Summer Classic Preview 2014

The stage is set, the 86th MLB All-Star Game will be tomorrow night at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio. This year’s game is sure to be interesting as many new faces will represent their respective Leagues.

Multiple elected starters from both Leagues came down with injuries after their election, meaning many replacements were called in. The finalized line-ups for both Leagues are as follows.

NL:

Andrew McCutchen- Pirates-CF (replacing Giancarlo Stanton)

Todd Frazier-Reds-3B

Bryce Harper-Nationals-RF

Paul Goldschmidt-D-Backs-1B

Buster Posey-Giants-C

Anthony Rizzo-Cubs-DH

Jhonny Peralta-Cardinals-SS

Joc Pederson-Dodgers-LF (replacing Matt Holliday)

DJ LeMahieu-Rockies-2B (replacing Dee Gordon)

AL:

Mike Trout-Angels-CF

Josh Donaldson-Blue Jays-3B

Albert Pujols-Angels-1B (replacing Miguel Cabrera)

Nelson Cruz-Mariners-DH

Lorenzo Cain-Royals-RF

Adam Jones-Orioles-LF (replacing Alex Gordon)

Salvador Perez-Royals-C

Jose Altuve-Astros-2B

Alcides Escobar-Royals-SS

This afternoon, Managers Bruce Bochy and Ned Yost announced their starting Pitchers. Bochy will give the ball to intra-divisional rival Zack Greinke of the Dodgers, while Yost has given the nod to the Astros’ ace lefty Dallas Keuchel. Truthfully, I am very surprised that Nationals’ Manager Matt Williams did not scratch Max Scherzer from his Sunday start. Scherzer cannot pitch in the game now and he seemed to everyone like a cinch for the NL starter.

Bochy and Yost have also named the Managers they will invite to assist them. Bochy (as per tradition) will bring hometown Manager Bryan Price of the Reds as well as Don Mattingly of the Dodgers. Yost has invited AJ Hinch of the Astros and Lloyd McClendon of the Mariners. Both Managers will bring the entire coaching staff from their teams as well.